Ubuntu 26.10, currently in development, will introduce significant changes to its out-of-memory (OOM) killer mechanism, designed to improve desktop session stability. Previously, the kernel's default OOM killer often terminated critical desktop services along with other applications when memory ran low, sometimes resulting in users being returned to the login screen. The upcoming changes for Ubuntu 26.10 will refine how processes are prioritized for termination. This new approach aims to ensure that "a rogue browser tab is less likely to punt you back to the login screen," according to OMG! Ubuntu. By modifying OOM scores, the system will be better equipped to distinguish between essential desktop components and less critical user applications, thereby preventing unintended termination of the entire desktop session during low memory events.